Hematites hold on to top spot in Big Five UPSSA poll

October 2, 2012

MARQUETTE - Six area schools, led by No. 1 Ishpeming, are ranked in this week's high school football poll released by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

The Hematites (6-0) remain in the top spot in the Big Five for the second straight week, though their hold isn't quite as strong as it was last week when they were a unanimous pick for the top spot.

This week, Ishpeming only got four of the five first-place votes despite a 48-0 whitewash of Laona-Wabeno, Wis., on Friday. Kingsford (5-1) got the other first-place vote after holding off Marquette, 21-14, last week.

Article Photos

Negaunee (6-0), which hosts the Hematites on Friday in game that is expected to decide the Mid-Peninsula Conference title, is at No. 4. The Miners dispatched Norway 42-13 on Saturday and are behind No. 3 Menominee (5-1) and ahead of the No. 5 Redmen (4-2).

Marquette plays at Menominee on Friday.

In the state Associated Press poll, Ishpeming held onto the No. 3 spot in Division 7, while Negaunee moved up a spot to fourth in Division 6.

Fact Box

Prep football

Michigan AP poll

The top 10 teams in the Associated Press high school football poll, with records in parentheses.

Totals are based on 10 points for a first-place vote, 9 for second, etc.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has determined playoff qualifiers in eight divisions based on enrollment. The divisions in this poll are unofficial.BC-FBH-Prep Poll,